Antimicrobial light source array system

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) system associated with an area and having a plurality of LED arrays are provided. In some implementations, the lighting system can include a first LED array associated with visible light and a second LED array associated with UV light. The lighting system can include one or more first sensors configured to detect occupancy within the area and send signals indicating whether the area is occupied. The lighting system can include one or more second sensors configured to detect microbes within an area and send signals indicating whether microbes are present in the area. The lighting system can include a control circuit configured to receive the signals sent by the one or more first and second sensors and to control the first LED array and the second LED array based on the signals.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/768,177, filed on Apr. 13, 2018, which is a U.S. 371 ofPCT/US2016/061234, filed Nov. 10, 2016, which claims the benefit ofpriority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/253,208, filed onNov. 10, 2015, which are all incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to lighting systems, and moreparticularly to lighting systems that can provide antimicrobialfunctions.

BACKGROUND

Microbes often exist in environments intended to be clean and free frommicroorganisms. Ultraviolet (UV) light illumination has been shown toexhibit antimicrobial functions because it can eliminate microbes aswell as prohibit germ and mold growth.

LED lighting systems can include one or more LED devices that becomeilluminated as a result of the movement of electrons through asemiconductor material. LED devices are becoming increasingly used inmany lighting applications and have been integrated into a variety ofproducts, such as light fixtures, indicator lights, flashlights, andother products. LED lighting systems can provide increased life anddurability, can produce less heat, and can provide other advantagesrelative to traditional incandescent and fluorescent lighting systems.Moreover, the efficiency of LED lighting systems has increased such thathigher power can be provided at lower cost to the consumer.

LED lighting systems can include LED devices that can emit UV light. LEDlighting systems with UV LED devices can be installed in areas to helpreduce and prevent the presence of microbes. However, exposure to UVlight wavelengths can, in some cases, be detrimental to humans, degradeplastic components and finishes, as well as diminish furnishings.Moreover, full time UV light illumination can impact the colortemperature of the light source and make it more difficult to get adesired color temperature from the given LED device.

SUMMARY

Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will beset forth in part in the following description, or can be learned fromthe description, or can be learned through practice of the embodiments.

One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a lightingsystem. The lighting system includes a first light source configured toemit visible light and a second light source configured to emit UVlight. The system can include one or more first sensors configured todetect occupancy within an area. The system can include one or moresecond sensors configured to detect microbe presence within the area.The system can include a control circuit configured to control the firstlight source and the second light source based at least in part on afirst signal received from the one or more first sensors and a secondsignal received from the one or more second sensors.

Other example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems,methods, apparatus, circuits, and electronic devices for controlling alighting system which can provide UV light for antimicrobial functions.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodimentswill become better understood with reference to the followingdescription. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explainthe related principles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of ordinary skill inthe art are set forth in the specification, which makes reference to theappended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an example LED lighting system according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts an example LED lighting system according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an example method according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of an example method according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts an example LED lighting unit according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 depicts an example LED lighting unit according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or moreexamples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example isprovided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of thepresent disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various modifications and variations can be made to theembodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentdisclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that aspects of the presentdisclosure cover such modifications and variations.

Example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to controlling aplurality of light sources in a lighting system to provide antimicrobialfunctions by, for instance, controlling the timing at which UV lightand/or visible light are emitted from the lighting system. The lightingsystem can be associated with an area intended to be free from microbes,such as a hospital room, recovery room, clean room, laboratory, home,etc. The lighting system can limit the emission of UV light to a timeperiod when microbes are present within the area and the area isunoccupied, thereby avoiding human exposure and unnecessary UV lightsource activation. The lighting system can further limit the emission ofvisible light to when the area is occupied or when visible light isotherwise desirable (e.g., for external observation of the area). Asused herein, a lighting system can include, but is not limited to, oneor more of a lighting circuit, light engine, one or more luminaires, oneor more light fixtures, a plurality of lighting devices arranged in anenvironment, a combination of any of the foregoing, or other system useto provide illumination. The use of the term “about” in conjunction witha numerical value refers to within 5% of the stated numerical value.

A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system can include a first LEDarray associated with and configured to emit visible light and a secondLED array associated with and configured to emit UV light. As usedherein, UV light can include ultraviolet light (e.g., wavelength fromabout 100 nm to about 400 nm) and near ultraviolet light (e.g.,associated with wavelength from about 400 nm to about 415 nm, such asabout 405 nm). Visible light can include light having a wavelengthranging from about 400 nm to about 700 nm, such as light having awavelength ranging from about 420 nm to about 700 nm. The LED lightingsystem can include means for controlling the first LED array (e.g.,associated with visible light) and/or the second LED array (e.g.,associated with UV light) based on occupancy and/or microbe presence tocontrol the emission of UV light. For example, the LED lighting systemcan include a control circuit configured to activate or de-activate thefirst LED array (e.g., associated with visible light) and/or the secondLED array (e.g., associated with UV light) based on occupancy and/ormicrobe presence to control the emission of UV light. Example means forcontrolling the first LED array and second LED array based on occupancyand/or microbe presence are discussed in FIGS. 1 and 2. Example controlmethods associated with the means for controlling the first LED arrayand the second LED array are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Example aspects of the present disclosure are discussed with referenceto an LED lighting system for purposes of illustration and discussion.Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures providedherein, will understand that example aspects of the present disclosurecan be used with lighting systems associated with a variety of differenttypes of light sources (e.g., fluorescent light sources) withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

An LED lighting system according to example aspects of the presentdisclosure can include one or more first sensors configured to detectwhether an area is occupied by a human or other animal. The one or morefirst sensors can include one or more motion sensors, position sensors,acoustic sensors, infrared sensors, temperature sensors, electric eyesensors, or any sensors that are suitable to detect whether an area isoccupied by a human or other animal. The one or more first sensors canbe configured to send a first signal to the control circuit indicatingwhether the area is occupied. The system can include one or more secondsensors configured to detect microbes, pathogens, bacteria, viruses,parasites, and/or germs (hereinafter, generally referred to as“microbes”) within an area. The one or more second sensors can beconfigured to send a second signal to the control circuit indicatingwhether a threshold amount of microbes are present in the area.

The control circuit can be configured to process the first signal andthe second signal to determine a control scheme for operation of thefirst LED array and/or the second LED array. A control scheme canspecify the operation of the first and/or second LED arrays based on thesignals from the first and/or second sensors. As one example, if it isdetermined based on a signal from the first sensor that the area isoccupied, the control circuit can control the first driver circuit toprovide a driver output to the first LED array sufficient to activatethe first LED array to emit visible light. In addition, if the secondLED array is currently activated, the control circuit can send a signalto the second driver circuit to cease providing or to reduce current tothe second LED array to de-activate the second LED array and prohibit orreduce the emission of UV light while the area is occupied.

As another example, if it is determined that the area is unoccupied andthat the number of microbes present in the area exceed a threshold, thecontrol circuit can control the second driver circuit to provide adriver output to the second LED array sufficient to activate the secondLED array to emit UV light (e.g., causing antimicrobial effects on thedetected microbes). If desired, the control circuit can send a signal tothe first driver circuit to cease providing or to reduce current to thefirst LED array sufficient to de-activate the first LED array andprohibit the emission of visible light to reduce unnecessary use of thefirst LED array. If it is determined that microbes are not present inthe area and the area is unoccupied, the control circuit can control thefirst driver circuit and the second driver circuit to cease providing orto reduce current to the first LED array and the second LED array tode-activate both the first LED array and the second LED array.

Controlling the emission of UV light from a UV LED array according toexample aspects of the present disclosure can assist with reduction ofmicrobes within an area and can reduce the need for antimicrobialcoatings. In addition, the need for moisture for the purpose ofantimicrobial effects can be reduced, which can increase the ability tokill both gram-negative and gram-positive microbes. De-activating a UVLED array when an area is occupied can help avoid human UV lightexposure. Moreover, limiting activation of the UV LED array based on theamount and presence of microbes in the area can extend the life andcolor of the LED array by reducing unnecessary illumination.

With reference now to the FIGS., example embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be discussed in detail. FIG. 1 depicts an example LEDlighting system 100 according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The LED lighting system 100 can include a first LED array110, a second LED array 115, a first driver circuit 120, a second drivercircuit 125, an interface 130, one or more first sensors 135, one ormore second sensors 140, and a control circuit 145. A power source 150can supply AC or DC power to the LED lighting system 100. The controlcircuit 145 can be in communication with the first driver circuit 120,the second driver circuit 125, the interface 130, the one or more firstsensors 135, and the one or more second sensors 140. Two LED arrays areillustrated in FIG. 1 for purposes of illustration and discussion. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein,will understand that any number of LED arrays can be used in the LEDlighting system 100 without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Each of the first LED array 110 and the second LED array 115 can includeone or more LED devices. The LED devices can emit light as a result ofelectrons moving through a semiconductor material. The first LED array110 can be associated with visible light and can include one or more LEDdevices configured to emit visible light (or other light orelectromagnetic radiation not within the UV spectrum). The second LEDarray 115 can be associated with UV light and can include one or moreLED devices configured to emit UV light (e.g., electromagnetic radiationwithin the UV spectrum).

The first driver circuit 120 can be associated with the first LED arrayand the second driver circuit 125 can be associated with the second LEDarray 115. Each of the first driver circuit 120 and the second drivercircuit 125 can be configured to receive an input power, such as aninput AC power or an input DC power, and can convert the input power toa suitable driver output for powering the first LED array 110 and thesecond LED array 115, respectively. Each of the first driver circuit 120and the second driver circuit 125 can include any suitable LED drivercircuit and can include various components, such as switching elements(e.g., transistors) that are controlled to provide a suitable driveroutput. For instance, in one embodiment, the first and/or second drivercircuits 120, 125 can include one or more transistors. Gate timingcommands can be provided to the one or more transistors to convert theinput power to a suitable driver output using pulse width modulationtechniques. As discussed in detail below, each of the first drivercircuit 120 and the second driver circuit 125 can be configured toadjust the driver output based at least in part on a signal receivedfrom control circuit 145. Other suitable driver circuits can be usedwithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

The interface 130 can be provided to control the first LED array and/orthe second LED array. The interface 130 can include one or morecomponents for communicating a lighting control signal to the controlcircuit 145. In example embodiments, the interface 130 can be configuredto allow a user to manually control aspects (e.g., dim) the first LEDarray 110 and/or the second LED 115 array based on a lighting controlsignal. Additionally, and/or in the alternative, the interface 130 canbe configured to allow a user to manually activate and/or de-activatethe first LED array 110 and/or the second LED array 115, as desired. Theinterface 130 can be associated with a light control panel, manualdimmer, or other suitable control system. The lighting control signalcan be a 0V to 10V lighting control signal, DALI control signal, DMXcontrol signal or other suitable control signal.

The one or more first sensors 135 can be configured to detect occupancy(e.g., human or other animal occupancy) within an area. The one or morefirst sensors 135 can include one or more motion sensors, positionsensors, acoustic sensors, infrared sensors, temperature sensors,electric eye sensors, or any other sensors that are suitable to detectwhether an area is occupied by a human or other animal. The one or morefirst sensors 135 can be configured to send a signal to the controlcircuit 145. For instance, the one or more first sensors 135 can send asignal to the control circuit 145 indicating whether the area isoccupied (e.g., when movement, sound, heat, other condition changeindicative of human and/or animal presence has been detected within thearea).

The one or more second sensors 140 can be configured to detect microbeswithin an area. The one or more second sensors 140 can be configured tosend a signal to the control circuit 145. For instance, the one or moresecond sensors 140 can send a signal to the control circuit 145indicating whether a threshold amount of microbes (e.g., the number ofmicrobes is sufficient to be detected by the sensor) have been detectedin the area.

In example embodiments, the one or more second sensors 140 can includeone or more microbe concentrating devices and one or more biosensors.The one or more microbe concentrating devices can, for instance, includeRNA strand samples of specific microbes for detection on the one or morebiosensors. In particular example implementations, the one or morebiosensors can include a multiplexing DNA electrochemical biosensor thatcan generate electrical signals in proportion to the concentration ofindividual target microbes. For instance, the RNA strands can bedelivered to DNA probes that are attached to individual electrodes of abiosensor. Each electrode can be pre-fabricated with DNA probes from aspecific microbe. A biosensor can detect a particular microbe when RNAfrom the sample hybridizes with complementary DNA probes. Voltammetryscans can be applied on each electrode. The electrodes wherehybridization takes place can cause chemicals (e.g., guanine) to oxidizeand subsequently generate electrical current. The peak of the currentcan be measured against background noise to determine if the electrode'sspecified microbe is present, and against currents from known samples todetermine the concentration of the specified microbe. This can be donesimultaneously, for each electrode, to measure the presence andconcentration of multiple microbes in the area. Those of ordinary skillin the art, using the disclosure provided herein, will understand thatother types of microbe sensors can be used without deviating from thescope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the one or more second sensors 140 can include oneor more indicators for indicating the presence of microbes. The one ormore indicators can be, for instance, visual or audio indicators. Forinstance, in some embodiments, the one or more indicators can provide avisual indication (e.g., a change of colors) based on detected microbepresence. In some embodiments, an LED signal can be triggered, such as avisual LED signal or infrared LED signal. In some embodiments, theindicator can be communicated as electronic data over, for instance,suitable communication means or media.

The control circuit 145 can include one or more control devices, such asone or more microcontrol circuits, microprocessors, logic devices,integrated circuits, or other control devices. The one or more controldevices can include one or more memory devices. In another embodiment,an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is contemplated. Thecontrol circuit 145 can be configured to send, receive, and/or processsignals to and/or from the one or more first sensors 135, the one ormore second sensors 140, the first driver circuit 120, the second drivercircuit 125, and the interface 130.

The signals from the one or more first sensors 135 and/or the one ormore second sensors 140 can be communicated to the control circuit 145or other aspects of the system using any suitable communication means ormedia, such as wired and/or wireless communication means. For instance,in some embodiments, signals can be communicated from the one or moresecond sensors 140 wirelessly, through light communication, or othernon-wired or wired means.

The control circuit 145 can be configured to control the first andsecond driver circuits 120, 125 in communication with the first andsecond LED arrays 110, 115 to control the driver output (e.g., drivercurrent) supplied to the first and second LED arrays 110, 115. Forinstance, the control circuit 145 can receive a first signal from theone or more first sensors 135 indicating that the area is occupied(e.g., when movement, sound, heat, other condition change has beendetected within the area). Additionally, or alternatively, the controlcircuit 145 can receive a second signal from the one or more secondsensors 140 indicating that microbes have been detected within the area.The control circuit 145 can process the first and second signals and,based on the processed signals, determine a control scheme forcontrolling the first and second LED arrays 110, 115.

For instance, in one embodiment, if the control circuit 145 determines(e.g., based on the first signal) that the area is occupied, the controlcircuit 145 can send a signal to the first driver circuit 120 to controlthe first driver circuit 120 to provide a driver output to the first LEDarray 110 sufficient to activate the first LED array 110 to emit visiblelight. In addition, and/or in the alternative, the control circuit 145can send a signal to the second driver circuit 125 to control the seconddriver circuit 125 to provide a driver output to the second LED array115 that de-activates the second LED array 115 and ceases and/orprohibits the emission of UV light.

In one embodiment, if the control circuit 145 determines (e.g., based onthe first and second signals) that the area is not occupied and thatmicrobes are present in the area, the control circuit 145 can send asignal to the first driver circuit 120 to control the first drivercircuit 120 to provide a driver output to the first LED array 110 thatde-activates the first LED array 110 and ceases and/or prohibits theemission of visible light. The control circuit 145 can further send asignal to the second driver circuit 125 to control the second drivercircuit 125 to provide a driver output to the second LED array 115sufficient to activate the second LED array 115 to emit UV light forantimicrobial effects. If visible light is desired, the control circuit145 can send a signal to the first driver circuit 120 to provide adriver output to the first LED array 110 sufficient to activate thefirst LED array 110 to emit visible light. Other suitable controlschemes are contemplated by the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an example embodiment of a lighting system according toexample embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 depicts an exampleLED lighting system 102 that includes many similar elements to the LEDlighting system 100 of FIG. 1. For instance, the lighting system 102includes a first LED array 110, a second LED array 115, an interface130, one or more first sensors 135, one or more second sensors 140, anda control circuit 145. A power source 150 can supply AC or DC power tothe LED lighting system 102. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the LEDlighting system 102 can include a driver circuit 155 and a currentsplitter circuit 160.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a driver output from the driver circuit 155can be provided to a current splitter circuit 160. The current splittercircuit 160 can be configured to split the driver output into a firstcurrent for powering the first LED array 110 and a second current forpowering the second LED array 115. In this way, the current splittercircuit 160 can be used to adjust the lumen output of the first LEDarray 110 relative to the lumen output of the second LED array 115.

The current splitter circuit 160 can be configured to control thecurrent ratio of the first current provided to the first LED array 110to the second current provided to the second LED array 115 based on acontrol signal that can be provided by the control circuit 145. Forinstance, according to example embodiments of the present disclosure,the control circuit 145 can provide one or more control signals to thecurrent splitter circuit 160 to control the ratio of the first currentprovided to the first LED array 110 and the second current provided tothe second LED array 120 based on signals from the one or more firstsensors 135 and the one or more second sensors 140.

For instance, in one embodiment, if the control circuit 145 determines(e.g., based on the first signal) that the area is occupied, the controlcircuit 145 can send a signal to the current splitter 160 to control thecurrent splitter 160 such that a majority of the light emitted from theLED lighting system 102 is emitted from the first LED array 110 (e.g.,visible light) and a reduced amount (e.g., zero light emission, deminimis, minority, etc.) of UV light is emitted from the second LEDarray 115.

In one embodiment, if the control circuit 145 determines (e.g., based onthe first and second signals) that the area is not occupied and that athreshold amount of microbes are present in the area, the controlcircuit 145 can send a signal to the current splitter 160 to control thecurrent splitter 160 such that a reduced amount (e.g., zero lightemission, de minimis, minority, etc.) of visible light is emitted fromthe first LED array 110 and such that a majority of the light emittedfrom the LED lighting system 102 is emitted from the second LED array115 (e.g., UV light). Other suitable control schemes can be used basedon the signals from the one or more first sensors and the one or moresecond sensors according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 300 for controllingan LED lighting system according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The method 300 will be discussed with reference to the LEDlighting system 100 of FIG. 1 but can be implemented with other suitablelighting systems. In addition, FIG. 3 depicts steps performed in aparticular order for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those ofordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, willunderstand that the steps of any of the methods disclosed herein can bemodified, adapted, expanded, omitted, and/or rearranged in various wayswithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

At (302), the method includes receiving a first signal from the one ormore first sensors 135. For instance, the control circuit 145 canreceive a signal from the one or more first sensors 135 indicatingwhether the area is occupied (e.g., when movement, sound, heat, othercondition change has been detected within the area). At (304), themethod includes receiving a second signal from the one or more secondsensors 140. For instance, the control circuit 145 can receive a secondsignal from the one or more second sensors 140 indicating that microbeshave been detected in the area.

At (306), the method includes processing, by the control circuit 145,the first and second signals to determine whether the area is occupiedand/or whether microbes are present in the area. For instance, thecontrol circuit 145 can process the first signal to determine whetherthe room is occupied. The control circuit 145 can process the secondsignal to determine whether a threshold amount of microbes are presentin the area. Based on the processed signals, the control circuit 145 candetermine a control scheme for the first LED array 110 (configured toemit visible light) and/or the second LED array 115 (configured to emitUV light). The control scheme can specify activation and deactivationfor the first LED array 110 and the second LED array 115. An examplecontrol scheme will be discussed with reference to FIG. 4.

At (308) of FIG. 3, the method includes controlling the first LED array110 and/or the second LED array 115 based on whether the area isoccupied and/or microbes are present. For instance, the control circuit145 can provide control signals to one or more driver circuits, currentsplitter circuits, etc. to control the light emitted by the first LEDarray 110 and/or the second LED array 115 in accordance with the controlscheme.

FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 400 for controlling afirst LED array and a second LED array based on occupancy and microbepresence according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Themethod 400 will be discussed with reference to the LED lighting system100 of FIG. 1 but can be implemented with other suitable lightingsystems. In addition, FIG. 4 depicts steps performed in a particularorder for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinaryskill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will understandthat the steps of any of the methods disclosed herein can be modified,adapted, expanded, omitted, and/or rearranged in various ways withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

At (402), the method 400 includes receiving a first signal from the oneor more first sensors 135. For instance, the control circuit 145 canreceive a signal from the one or more first sensors 135 indicatingwhether the area is occupied (e.g., when movement, sound, heat, othercondition change has been detected within the area). At (404), themethod 400 includes processing, by the control circuit 145, the firstsignal to determine if the area is occupied. If it is determined thatthe area is occupied, at (406), the method 400 includes activating thefirst LED array 110 (configured to emit visible light) and, ifnecessary, de-activating the second LED array 115 (configured to emit UVlight). For instance, the control circuit 145 can send a signal to thefirst driver circuit 120 to control the first driver circuit 120 toprovide a driver output to the first LED array 110 sufficient toactivate the first LED array 110 to emit visible light. If the secondLED array 115 is currently activated, the control circuit 145 can send asignal to the second driver circuit 125 to control the second drivercircuit 125 to provide a driver output to the second LED array 115 thatde-activates the second LED array 115 and prohibits or reduces theemission of UV light.

At (408), if it is determined that the area is unoccupied, the method400 includes receiving a second signal from the one or more secondsensors 140. For instance, the control circuit 145 can receive a signalfrom the one or more second sensors 140 indicating whether microbes havebeen detected in the area. At (410), the method 400 includes processing,by the control circuit 145, the second signal to determine if microbesare present in the area. If it is determined that the microbes arepresent in the area, at (412), the method 400 includes de-activating thefirst LED array 110 (configured to emit visible light), if necessary,and activating the second LED array 115 (configured to emit UV light).For instance, if the first LED array 110 is currently activated, thecontrol circuit 145 can send a signal to the first driver circuit 120 tocontrol the first driver circuit 120 to provide a driver output to thefirst LED array 110 that de-activates the first LED array 110 andprohibits the emission of visible light. The control circuit 145 cansend a signal to the second driver circuit 125 to control the seconddriver circuit 125 to provide a driver output to the second LED array115 sufficient to activate the second LED array 115 to emit UV light(e.g., for antimicrobial effects). Alternatively, if visible light isdesired and the first LED array 110 is currently de-activated, thecontrol circuit 145 can send a signal to the first driver circuit 120 tocontrol the first driver circuit 120 to provide a driver output to thefirst LED array 110 sufficient to activate the first LED array 110 toemit visible light.

If it is determined that microbes are not present in the area, at (414),the method 400 includes de-activating the first LED array 110 andde-activating the second LED array 115. For instance, the controlcircuit 145 can send a signal to the first driver circuit 120 and asignal to the second driver circuit 125 to control the first and seconddriver circuits 120, 125 to provide driver outputs to the first LEDarray 110 and the second LED array 115 that de-activate the first LEDarray 110 and the second LED array 115. Alternatively, if visible lightis desired, the control circuit 145 can send a signal to the firstdriver circuit 120 to control the driver circuit 120 to provide a driveroutput to the first LED array 110 sufficient to activate the first LEDarray 110 to emit visible light.

FIG. 5 depicts an example lighting unit 500 that can include an LEDcircuit according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Thelighting unit 500 can include a housing 505 used to house and protectvarious components of the lighting unit. The housing 505 can beconstructed of any suitable material, such as anodized aluminum, steel,or plastic.

The lighting unit 500 can include one or more first light sources 510.The one or more first light sources 510 can include LED devices that areconfigured to emit light as a result of electrons moving through asemiconductor material. In particular implementations, the one or morefirst light sources 510 can include an LED array (e.g., similar to thefirst LED array 110) associated with and configured to emit visiblelight. While the present subject matter is discussed with reference tothe first light source(s) 510 including one or more LED devices, thoseof ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein,will understand that the first light source(s) 510 can be other types oflight sources, such as fluorescent light sources or incandescent lightsources, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure,with each combination providing its own benefits.

The lighting unit 500 can further include one or more second lightsources 515. The one or more second light sources 515 can include LEDdevices that are configured to emit light as a result of electronsmoving through semiconductor material. In particular implementations,the one or more second light sources 515 can include an LED array (e.g.,similar to the second LED array 115) associated with and configured toemit UV light. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the second lightssource(s) 515 can include other types of light sources.

In some embodiments, the lighting unit 500 can include reflectors,lenses, and/or other optics (not shown) in conjunction with lightingunit 500 to provide a desired light distribution from the first lightsource(s) 510 and/or the second light source(s) 515. For example, thelighting unit 500 can include a lens disposed over an aperture, such asa glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, or silicone lens or other suitablelens.

FIG. 6 shows another example lighting unit 502 that can include an LEDcircuit according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Thelighting unit 502 can include a housing 520 used to house and protectvarious components of the lighting unit. The housing 520 can beconstructed of any suitable material, such as anodized aluminum, steel,or plastic. The lighting unit 502 can receive one or more first lightsources 525 and one or more second light sources 530, in a mannersimilar to lighting unit 500. The one or more first light sources 525can include a first LED array (e.g., similar to the first LED array 110)associated with and configured to emit visible light. The one or moresecond light sources 530 can include a second LED array (e.g., similarto the second LED array 115) associated with and configured to emit UVlight. In particular implementations, each of the one or more firstlight sources 525 and/or second light sources 530 can include an LEDboard having a plurality of LED devices. Additionally, and/oralternatively, the first lights source(s) 525 and/or the second lightsource(s) 530 can include other types of light sources.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of theforegoing can readily produce alterations to, variations of, andequivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the presentdisclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, andthe subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of suchmodifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matteras would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighting system, comprising: a first lightsource configured to emit visible light in an area; a second lightsource configured to emit UV light in the area; one or more sensorsconfigured to detect a condition within the area; a control circuitconfigured to control the first light source and the second light sourcebased at least partially on an output from said one or more sensors; adriver circuit configured to receive one or more control signals fromsaid control circuit; and a current splitter circuit configured tocontrol a ratio of a first current provided to the first light sourcerelative to the second light source.
 2. The lighting system of claim 1,wherein the UV light has a wavelength in the range of about 100 nm toabout 400 nm.
 3. The lighting system of claim 2, wherein the visiblelight has a wavelength above about 400 nm.
 4. The lighting system ofclaim 2, wherein the UV light has a wavelength between about 200 nm andabout 300 nm.
 5. The lighting system of claim 4, wherein the UV lighthas a wavelength between about 220 nm and about 285 nm.
 6. The lightingsystem of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include at least onefirst sensor that detects occupancy and at least one second sensor thatdetects a presence of microbes.
 7. The lighting system of claim 6,wherein the at least one first sensor includes one or more motionsensors; position sensors, acoustic sensors, infrared sensors,temperature sensors, or electric eye sensors.
 8. The lighting system ofclaim 6, wherein the at least one second sensor includes at least amicrobe concentrating device and a biosensor.
 9. The lighting system ofclaim 1, wherein said first light source includes one or more lightemitting diodes (LED) and said second light source includes one or morelight emitting diodes (LED).
 10. The lighting system of claim 1, whereinsaid first light source includes one or more light emitting diodes (LED)and said second light source does not include light emitting diodes(LED).
 11. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein said current splitterprovides substantially zero current to said second light source whensaid one or more sensors detects a presence of one or more human oranimal within said area.
 12. The lighting system of claim 1, whereinsaid current splitter provides substantially zero current to said firstlight source when said one or more sensors does not detect a presence ofone or more humans or animals within said area.
 13. The lighting systemof claim 1, wherein the UV light has a wavelength of about 222 nm. 14.The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the UV light has a wavelength ofabout 254 nm.
 15. A method for controlling a lighting system,comprising: receiving a first signal from a first sensor, the firstsignal indicative of occupancy of a space; receiving a second signalfrom a second sensor, the second signal indicative of a presence of oneor more predetermined micro-organisms within the space; and controllinga first light emitting diode (LED) array associated with visible lightand a second LED array associated with UV light based at least in parton the first signal and the second signal.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the UV light has a wavelength between about 220 nm and about 285nm.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the UV light has a wavelength ofabout 222 nm.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the UV light has awavelength of about 254 nm.
 19. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: dividing a total amount of current applied to said first andsecond LED arrays such that said first light emitting diode arrayreceives a greater amount of current than said second light emittingdiode array when said first signal indicates occupancy of said space.